Background
First Aircoach is Ireland’s leading private bus and coach operator, with a unique, cross-border operation and a commitment to providing the highest quality customer experience. Four of the First Aircoach services are based in the Republic of Ireland and only use the euro, but one crosses the border between Belfast city centre and Dublin Airport. First Aircoach wanted to be able to offer passengers the convenience of multiple payment options, including contactless, in both euro and sterling.
Our Approach
“The use of multiple currencies on contactless EMV on these routes creates a truly seamless customer journey, with First Aircoach benefitting from the security provided by the Mass Transit Transaction (MTT) framework. The solution is a result of great collaboration between Littlepay and Ticketer, and First Group’s agile, partnership approach.”
Amin Shayan, CEO of Littlepay
This challenge required a customised approach. As our first multi-currency contactless customer, we tailored the ETMs to accept payments in both euros and sterling. The ETM switches smoothly between the two currencies when required, and shows the ticket price in both.
Ticketer ETMs accept all types of payments, from cash to mTickets, with contactless flexibility offered through the payment service provider Littlepay.
What This Means for First Aircoach
A smooth passenger experience
Customers are embracing the convenience of contactless ticketing, with over 6,000 contactless transactions taking place within two weeks of launch.
Speedier boarding times
The rise in the number of contactless payments, along with other cashless options such as mTicketing, speeds up boarding times, enabling services to operate more efficiently and reducing queues for passengers.
More purchase points
With services operating from busy locations such as city airports, we’re providing additional ticketing purchase points, enabling the operator to maximise the opportunity and making purchase even more convenient for customers. We’re supplying machines for the Travel Shop in Belfast, mobile retailers at Dublin Airport, and both of the airport terminals are served by mobile ticket machines for passengers to buy tickets before they board the bus.
“At Aircoach, we are committed to providing our customers with high quality public transport services and the launch of contactless further delivers on this commitment.”
Dervla McKay
